2.0 Analysis 2.1 Fuel Contamination When the GYPSY LASS was laid up, the fuel tanks were slack and the vessel was unheated, a combination of circumstances which is conducive to condensation. This is considered the most likely cause of the water in the fuel. With the adverse weather on the day of the grounding, the vessel was moving heavily in the rough seas; this action would have stirred up any sediment in the fuel tanks. Having started the trip with a full load of fuel, the vessel had already initially consumed fuel from the forward engine-room tanks. At the time the contamination was discovered, the vessel was consuming fuel from the engine-room tanks which was being run down from the after tanks to offset the increase in the after draught as the fish catch was brought on board. Although the skipper shut off the fuel supply from the after tanks on discovering the contamination, there was a good possibility that all the tanks were now contaminated to some extent. The after tanks were suspected to be the source of the contamination. 2.2 Precautionary Filter Change Dirt and water in the fuel filters had prompted the skipper of the GYPSY LASS to stop and change the filters twice on the inward passage. As the vessel approached the harbour entrance, the skipper feared that the main engine might fail while entering port and decided to change the filters as a precautionary measure. Given the weather conditions and the proximity to the shore where the filter change was to take place, it would have been prudent for the skipper of the GYPSY LASS to have asked the ROYAL PRIDE to stand by him while he completed the filter change. The two vessels had been fishing in each other's company and both were to lay over in Edith Harbour. When she was called to assist, the ROYAL PRIDE was on the scene in 20 minutes, but the GYPSY LASS had already been carried into shallow water. 3.0 Conclusions 3.1 Findings The fuel supply on the GYPSY LASS was found to be contaminated with water and sediment on the inward passage to Edith Harbour. With no uncontaminated fuel tank to draw on, the skipper decided to change fuel filters before entering the harbour. The main engine could not be restarted after the vessel had been stopped close off a lee shore to effect the change of filters. As the GYPSY LASS was carried toward shallow water, the only assistance close at hand, the ROYAL PRIDE, had gone ahead into Edith Harbour. When the ROYAL PRIDE was summoned and arrived to assist, the GYPSY LASS had already been carried into shallow water. While the ROYAL PRIDE stood by, her main propulsion was fouled and disabled by kelp and she also grounded. When the Fast Rescue Craft POINT HENRY NO. 2 arrived to assist, the situation of the two grounded vessels was such that only a partial abandonment of the ROYAL PRIDE could be effected. While attempting to manoeuvre in the restricted area of the groundedvessels, the POINT HENRY NO. 2 was swamped and had to be beached. Because of the proximity of the incident to Alaskan waters, RCC tasked a closer USCG helicopter, which was equipped for night rescue, to recover the nine stranded persons. All the crew members from the two stricken fishing vessels had donned immersion suits and were safely rescued. 3.2 Causes While close inshore in adverse environmental conditions, the GYPSY LASS grounded after her main engine failed to restart because no measures had been taken in anticipation of the main engine not restarting. The ROYAL PRIDE grounded because she entered an area of heavy seaweed and lost propulsion when kelp was drawn into her Kort nozzle. The Fast Rescue Craft POINT HENRY NO. 2 was swamped while attempting to manoeuvre to effect a rescue in adverse operating conditions. The Board has no marine safety recommendations to issue at this time.4.0 Safety Action The Board has no marine safety recommendations to issue at this time.